Interview with grandmaster Sergey Dolmatov

The interview with Sergey Dolmatov was conducted in Alushta in Crimea, Ukraine, when three pupils of the Russian grandmaster participated in two June 2009 tournaments. The English translation is prepared by the Chess Today team.

— What do you consider to be your highest success as a player?

— The first place in the 1989 Moscow GMA Open. A young Anand played there. Also, the Interzonal in Manila, 1990 where I qualified to the Candidates Matches.

— With which players are you currently working as a coach?

— As as the main coach of the Russian team, I am responsible for forming the team and for regular work in the federation. There are also team captains at every particular event.

Also, I am the coach in the Dvorkovich Chess Hall. [' Shachmatnya Gostinaya Dvorkovicha', chessdvor.ru — CT ed.] I am working with the young players: Grigoriy Oparin, Mikhail Antipov, Daniil Dubov, Alina Kashlinskaya. All of them, except Dubov, played in Alushta this time.

— Do you consider yourself to be a follower of the Mark Dvoretsky training method?

— Certainly, in some sense. It is possible to say that Dvoretsky himself also improved his chess using this method, which is based on the accumulated experience in teaching players of his own generation. However, Mark Dvoretsky usually works with older children. When you are working with younger players, there are differences. The method is modified though its essence remains unchanged.

— What are your impressions from Alushta, and do you see prospects for Alushta as a chess centre?

— I liked everything. The sun is shining, the sea is warm, conditions in the boarding house Kaissa are acceptable, and the atmosphere is friendly. And there are good, fighting tournaments. But, it was really warm this June, so the organisers should think about placing an air conditioner in the playing room. About Alushta as a chess centre: I think that Alushta is an international chess centre already; participants from many countries, from Estonia to Jordan, are playing here. I see the prospects, indeed — it is suitable to combine children's recreation with playing.

— Are you now sharing the opinion, that Veselin Topalov might have used computer assistance?

— I do not see much sense in discussing this, because everyone would keep his own opinion, anyway. As anyone else, I am entitled to have my own opinion. Generally I think that there must be a system of control in chess, which prevents any intervention from outside. Taking into account the level of technical progress, the use of modern lie detectors may help to have such a control.(Indeed, correct questions should be asked then). It is impossible to run 100 meters in 8 seconds. In chess, we do not have such a clear criteria. But when someone constantly wins many games in super tournaments, it looks suspicious and needs confirmation. In no way do I want to offend anyone. I just say that testing, using a lie detector, would be a help to any, especially great players, to avoid suspicions and accusations. I underline that all this has no connection with a match between Kramnik and Topalov.

— May, in your opinion, the announced transfer of Sergey Karjakin to the Russian federation have a positive impact on the motivation of the Russian players?

— Obtaining Karjakin is indeed a great plus for Russian chess, for many reasons. Even if he does not get a place in the national team, it is also a plus, because one of our main competitors has lost a strong player. Karjakin has the individuality and prospects of fighting for the world crown in the near future. There are only a few such players in the world. Karjakin's transfer to the RCF is a serious loss for Ukraine, and an additional motivation for competition inside Russia.